At La Chaudeau,--'tis long since then: br I was young,--my years twice ten; br All things smiled on the happy boy, br Dreams of love and songs of joy, br Azure of heaven and wave below, br At La Chaudeau. br br At La Chaudeau I come back old: br My head is gray, my blood is cold; br Seeking along the meadow ooze, br Seeking beside the river Seymouse, br The days of my spring-time of long ago br At La Chaudeau. br br At La Chaudeau nor heart nor brain br Ever grows old with grief and pain; br A sweet remembrance keeps off age; br A tender friendship doth still assuage br The burden of sorrow that one may know br At La Chaudeau. br br At La Chaudeau, had fate decreed br To limit the wandering life I lead, br Peradventure I still, forsooth, br Should have preserved my fresh green youth, br Under the shadows the hill-tops throw br At La Chaudeau. br br At La Chaudeau, live on, my friends, br Happy to be where God intends; br And sometimes, by the evening fire, br Think of him whose sole desire br Is again to sit in the old chateau br At La Chaudeau.